Dallas Stars left wing Antoine Roussel (21) scores a goal against Anaheim Ducks goalie John Gibson (36) and right wing Nick Sorensen (59) during the third period of an NHL hockey game Thursday, Oct. 13, 2016, in Dallas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

DALLAS >> Nick Sorensen found himself standing in the Ducks’ dressing room after their final exhibition game, feeling happy and content but not comfortable.

Sorensen had made it to the end of training camp and there was never a reassignment handed down from the club. It soon became apparent to the right wing that he could make the team and have a shot at playing his first NHL game.

“It’d mean the world to me,” Sorensen said. “For my family, for everyone back home. You always play for the logo on front but you also play for what’s on back. I’ve had family and friends and stuff supporting me all the way.”

Born in Denmark but raised in Sweden, Sorensen wasn’t the only Ducks player to officially break into the league in Thursday night’s season opener at Dallas. Defenseman Jacob Larsson also turned his strong camp into a surprising roster spot.

Only Oleg Tverdovsky, Cam Fowler and Devante Smith-Pelly made their NHL debuts for the Ducks at a younger age than Larsson, who’s 19 years and five months.

Continuing holdouts by Rickard Rakell and Hampus Lindholm created unexpected openings, which Sorensen and Larsson grabbed for now. Ducks coach Randy Carlyle couldn’t remember a time when he had two players playing their first games in the same contest.

“I don’t think it’s that unusual in today’s game,” Carlyle said. “With the infusion of youth into the lineup, younger players are making more of an impact in lineups today. So I don’t think it’s as abnormal as it once was.

“And it’s two young players that have earned an opportunity. Good for them.”

To get to this point, Sorensen had to come back from a two-year stretch of injuries suffered while playing in Canadian major junior hockey and the start of his pro career in the Swedish Hockey League.

“Every game, every practice, every day for me, it’s a look to try to stay here,” Sorensen said. “Even if I play zero, one, five or 20 games, I’m not going to get comfortable up here. It’s the best league in the world. I’m just going to try to prove to them every day I want to be here.”

Etem back with Ducks

The Ducks claimed winger Emerson Etem off waivers from the Vancouver Canucks, bringing back the former first-round pick and Long Beach native to the organization.

Vancouver put Etem on waivers Wednesday. Etem, 24, had seven goals and five assists in 39 games with the Canucks after acquiring him in a Jan. 8 trade the New York Rangers.

“We think he can make a contribution with his speed and his size to our group,” Carlyle said, adding Etem will likely join the team in Pittsburgh this weekend.

To add Etem to the roster, Joseph Cramarossa was put on waivers and will head to the Ducks’ AHL team in San Diego if he clears Friday morning.

Siblings meet

It was a fortuitous opener for Nick Ritchie. Not only did he make the team out of camp but the Ducks’ second-year winger got to face his older brother, Brett, for the first time in an NHL game. Brett Ritchie plays right wing for the Stars, while Nick is on the left side for the Ducks.

“As a kid, you’re always picturing yourself playing in the NHL with each other, against each other, depending on what team you’re on,” Nick said. “This is the day that it comes. It makes it even fitting that it’s opening night.”

Ritchie called it a “once in a lifetime experience.” “Hopefully it’s one of many,” he added. “But at least there will be one.”

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